If you collect Citi ThankYou points and want to fly United, you’ve probably looked for United in the Citi transfer list and come up empty. That’s not a mistake on your screen. Citi does not transfer to United.
But that doesn’t mean your Citi points are useless for United flights. Because United belongs to the Star Alliance, several of Citi’s airline partners can book United flights for you. In this guide, we explain why Citi doesn’t transfer to United, which Citi partners you can use instead, how to book a United flight with Citi points step by step, and which credit cards do transfer directly to United MileagePlus.
Does Citi transfer to United MileagePlus?
No. As of 2026, United MileagePlus is not a Citi ThankYou transfer partner. You cannot move Citi points directly into a United account, and there is no conversion option inside the Citi ThankYou website.
United has a long-standing co-branded credit card partnership with Chase, which issues all the United-branded credit cards in the US. Chase Ultimate Rewards is also United’s main bank transfer partner. That’s one reason Citi doesn’t offer United as an option.
Citi, on the other hand, has a close relationship with American Airlines. In 2026, Citi became the only US issuer of AAdvantage credit cards, and Citi ThankYou points can now be transferred to American AAdvantage.
Which programs does Citi transfer to?
Citi ThankYou points transfer to a long list of airline and hotel programs. Some of the most useful airline partners include:
- American Airlines AAdvantage
- Air France-KLM Flying Blue
- Avianca LifeMiles
- Cathay Pacific Asia Miles
- EVA Air Infinity MileageLands
- Qantas Frequent Flyer
- Qatar Airways Privilege Club
- Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
- Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles
- Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
- JetBlue TrueBlue
The transfer ratio depends on your card. Premium Citi cards, such as the Citi Strata Premier and Citi Strata Elite, transfer to most airline partners at 1:1. No-annual-fee ThankYou cards, such as the Citi Double Cash, Citi Custom Cash and Citi Strata, transfer at a weaker rate of 1,000 points to 700 miles.
How to book United flights with Citi points
The trick is to use a Star Alliance partner. United is a member of the Star Alliance, and so are several Citi transfer partners. Star Alliance airlines can book award seats on each other’s flights. So you can transfer Citi points to a partner, then use that partner’s miles to book a seat on a United plane.
These are the main options:
Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles
Turkish Airlines uses its own award chart for partner flights, based on regions. For some United routes, especially flights within the US and to Hawaii, Mexico and Central America, Turkish has historically charged fewer miles than United itself. The program can be harder to use: you often need to search on United’s website, then call or contact Turkish to book. But the savings can be worth it.
Avianca LifeMiles
LifeMiles, the program of Colombian airline Avianca, can book United flights online and doesn’t add fuel surcharges to Star Alliance partner awards. It’s a popular option for United business class to Europe and other long-haul routes. LifeMiles charges a booking fee on partner awards, and its website can be fiddly, but it’s one of the easiest ways to use Citi points on United.
Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
KrisFlyer can book United flights, and some routes, such as US transcontinental flights and flights to Hawaii, have historically been good value. Business class space on United is often limited, though.
EVA Air Infinity MileageLands
EVA Air is another Star Alliance partner that can book United flights. It’s used less often, but it’s worth checking if the other programs don’t work for your trip.
Award prices change over time, so always compare the current price in each program before you transfer.
Step-by-step: booking a United flight with Citi points
- Search for award space on united.com. Look for “saver” award seats, because these are the seats United usually makes available to partner airlines.
- Pick the Citi partner you want to use, such as Avianca LifeMiles or Turkish Miles&Smiles, and open a free account with that program if you don’t have one.
- Search for the same flight on the partner’s website, or call the partner to confirm that the seat is available and to check the price in miles and fees.
- Transfer the exact number of Citi points you need. Remember that transfers are final.
- Book the award as soon as the miles arrive in your partner account.
Some Citi transfers post instantly, while others can take a day or two. If the seat is popular, keep that in mind and have a backup plan.
Important things to know before you transfer
Transfers can’t be reversed
Once your Citi points are in another airline’s account, you can’t move them back. Only transfer when you’ve confirmed the flight you want is available.
Partner availability is limited
Partner airlines can usually only book the seats United releases to them. You may see a flight bookable with United miles, but not with Turkish or LifeMiles miles. That’s why step one is checking saver availability.
Fees vary
Each program has its own booking fees, taxes and change rules. A flight that costs fewer miles in one program might have higher fees. Compare the total cost, not just the number of miles.
Citi points sharing has ended
In May 2026, Citi stopped letting cardmembers share ThankYou points with other people’s Citi accounts. If you’re planning a trip for family, you’ll need to use your own points or pool miles inside an airline program that allows it.
Which credit cards transfer to United?
If United is your main airline, it may be easier to earn points that transfer to United directly. These programs do:
- Chase Ultimate Rewards. Points transfer to United MileagePlus at 1:1. You need a card such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred, Chase Sapphire Reserve or Ink Business Preferred to transfer.
- Bilt Rewards. Bilt points also transfer to United at 1:1.
You can also earn United miles directly with a United co-branded credit card from Chase. These cards often come with perks such as a free checked bag, priority boarding and, on some cards, United Club access.
Citi or Chase: which is better for United flights?
If you mostly fly United, Chase Ultimate Rewards is the simpler choice. You can transfer directly, book on united.com and access all saver awards with no extra steps.
If you fly a mix of airlines, Citi can still be a great points currency. It’s the main bank program that transfers to American AAdvantage, and it has strong partners for Europe, Asia and the Middle East. For United flights, you’ll just need to use a Star Alliance partner.
Many points collectors hold both: Citi for American and oneworld trips, and Chase for United and Hyatt.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Transferring before checking availability. Always find the seat first.
- Assuming the partner price matches United’s. Partner programs set their own prices, which can be higher or lower.
- Forgetting the transfer ratio. If you hold a no-fee Citi card only, 10,000 points become 7,000 miles, not 10,000.
- Ignoring transfer bonuses. Citi sometimes offers extra miles when you transfer to certain partners. A bonus can make a Star Alliance partner even cheaper.
Frequently asked questions
Can I transfer Citi ThankYou points to United?
No. United is not a Citi transfer partner. You can book United flights through Star Alliance partners such as Turkish Airlines, Avianca LifeMiles, Singapore Airlines and EVA Air.
What is the best Citi partner for United flights?
It depends on the route. Turkish Miles&Smiles can be good value for some shorter routes, while Avianca LifeMiles is popular for long-haul business class because it doesn’t add fuel surcharges.
Can I use Citi points to pay for a United flight directly?
Yes, through the Citi Travel portal, you can use points to book a United ticket like a cash fare. The value is usually lower than a good transfer, but it’s simple and doesn’t depend on award availability.
Which bank points transfer to United?
Chase Ultimate Rewards and Bilt Rewards both transfer to United MileagePlus at 1:1.
Will Citi add United as a transfer partner?
There’s no sign of that. Citi’s airline focus is American Airlines, while United’s bank partner is Chase.
Conclusion
Citi does not transfer to United, but that doesn’t lock you out of United flights. By transferring Citi ThankYou points to a Star Alliance partner such as Turkish Airlines, Avianca LifeMiles or Singapore Airlines, you can still book seats on United, sometimes for fewer miles than United would charge. Just check saver availability first, compare prices and fees, and only transfer when the seat is confirmed. If United is your main airline, consider adding a Chase or Bilt card so you can transfer directly.
